The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-13
THE OIL CONSPIRACY.
Outerbridge Was Anxious to Buy Letters, Pro-
vided He Could Inspect the Goods.

BUFFALO, n Y, May 12.-In the oil cons piracy
case this morning. Frederick G. Saxton, a sa-
loon-keeper of Cory, Pa. testified that Albert
A. Miller had said in his saloon that he was sorry
that he left the employ of the Vacuum Oil Com
pany and went off with the Buffalo gang. as he
had lost ali his money, and that the suits brought
by the Buffalo parties were a mere farce Mil
Ter also offered testify for the party that filed
his hand with filthy lucre first
s.You were seeking to get hold of certain let
ters which Miller claimed he had from c. NJ.
Matthew'S were you not" asked attorney Coggs-
we'll
Yes sir
ibid Miller say TO you that he wanted to sell
these letters to the Vacuum Oil CompanyP
Yes: it was in February, 1885, that Miller
said he had a large package of letters from Mat
thews which he would sell for $500. as he wanted
to get something out of them If be could. He
would not let anybody them until he got the
money. but claimed that they were very valuable
to the Everests."
WHO authorized you to get these letters7"
Lawyer Outer bridge. of Rochester"
'tHave his letter.
Yes sir: here it Is"
The letter reads at follows:
ROCHESTER,, April 8, 1856.
"A G. Mack, Esq, Cory. Pa.
You better have Saxton say to Miller that he
informed you of the talk with Miller, and that
you wrote me about It. and that say that
money whatsoever will De paid until I see the
letters myself and, as to the amount to be
paid, that will also be determined by
me me- Have sas.on ..ta.n.u say to Miller .sr
case; l would not go on the witnessstand; and
that if / did it would be practically impossible to
prove the letters in that way. want to the
letters myself. and ] should be happy to have
Miller present when | look at them. Miller
knows, and knows we'll enough, that I am no
shyster. and that there is nothing small about
people, and that if we agree to do a thing
will do it. All is simply to buy
whatever letters Miller has in his possession
which have ever been or value to u.s. but when
say we will pay him we will do It. Assure
Miller through Saxton, that l will not act un-
fairly with him or take any mean advantage of
him. Yours very truly =
Joseph Stearns, of Boston, the next wit
did Matthews say to you, in your Office. in
1884. that he had suit pending against the Ev-
erests for 800. 900"
Yes. SIR"
did he say to you that if he could get iudg-
ment against the Vacuum company he could put
the Everests behind the bars. and that that
would be the only way ne could force the Stand
ard Oil Company come to his terms and pay his
priceP
Yes SIR
Did Matthews say the Everests would rather
pay anything than be locked up!@
did Matthews say that he must win the civil
suits against the Everests at all hazards, in
order to push criminal Indictment"
Matthews was recalled. and declared that he
had no recollection of making the assertions at
tributed TO him by Stearns Stearns was re-
called and reiterated his assertions.
Arthur AIsley, OF Boston, eorroborated the
statement of Stea-ns. He said: II was present
at the time c. B. Matthews said So l remem-
ber it distinctly: J. Scott Wilson who acted as
travelling agent for tie Buffalo works testified
that Matthews told him he expected to sell his
works 10 the Vacuum Standard Oil Company
for 500. 900 to $3.50. 000.p The witness never
heard any talk of conspiracy the TINS of the
explosion.